The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-04-30

and moral essays flowed from his PEN
and the book chest went back and forth
more frequently than ever.
But all this work began to tell upon
the health of the imprisoned
Our bird does not beat his wings
against his cage. nor NOPE upon his
perch" Madam De Groot said. sadly.
to her friend Dame Daatsalaer, "but
see him pining. Oh. that could give
him wings. and open the bars!'
One day a committee Of the States
General visited the prisoner in his two
little rooms, where they found him
writing at the table, while his wife sat
beside him patching the sleeve OF an
old velvet doublet. Information had
been lodged that Grutius had boon
planning escape. 1t was said that
Madam De GrOot had been seen buy
ing some strong rope at Gorcum. ana
the committee had now come to inquire
into the matter. Accordingly, they
ransacked everywhere. turning over
manuscripts. books and clothing, but
finding nothing.
Take especial heed to this chest,
Master Lieutenant" said Mus Van
Holy. peering s%uspiciously into the
chest. ''Methinks that here is space
for much contraband goods beside all
this learned lumber"
But nothing was there save the great
folios, and the committee were obliged
to withdraw. Grotins stopped to re-
place one of the books, but his wife
stayed his hand, and stood looking at
the empty box as though a new thought
had struck her. "'Space for much con-
traband goods said that knave Van
Holy" she said at last. Hugo, it
might be that he spake more wisely
than he knew; it might be space for Il
man,
The eyes of Grotius frightened for n
moment; but he presently shook his
head. Enough for his coffin, may
hap he said. ''but not for his living
carriage. The chest is but four feet in
lcngth-small space for Il longg-limbed
man.
1t may be DONE" cried Maiden De
Groot, vehemently. ''Under these or
naments are air-holes. Lay by your
doublct, Hugo, and make the attempt
at least"
So the attempt was made. and
Grotius found that by coiling up his
limbs he could really manage to lie in
the chest with the lid closed.
.Let us try it for an hour" said
Madam De Groot. ''There | have
turned the hour-glass; knocked on the
lid if you can not endure to the next
turning
Strengthened by the hope of escape,
Grotius patiently endured the cramped
position for the hour. The next day
there was another trial and this time
the hour-glass was turned for the Sec
ond time. The vision of escape began
to grow brighter.
Still, the hazard was so great and
the risks so terrible that the attempt
was put off from day to day, until there
was no knowing how long they might
have hesitated had not little Cornelia
innocently given the signal for action.
1t was Sunday, the 2lst of March.
1851. A wild equinoctial storm was
raging. with sheets of rain dashing
against the windows and the wind
bowling around the fortress. In a tenn
porary lull in the storm the bell Cor
cum could be heard ringing.
what mean those merry pcals?"
asked Grotius, looking up from the
pictured pages of the Testament he was
showing to his little daughter.
They must be ringing for the open
ing of the great fair" said Madam De.
Groot.
"And tomorrow would be right
time for my papa to go to Gorcum,'
said little Cornelia; ''for Madam Daat.
salaer says that all cxilcs and outlaws
may come to Gorcum on the fair days,
and none dare harm them till they are
past
Grotius softly set the child from of
his knee and passed it into the bed
room, making signs to his wife to fol
low him.
"Wife." said he, taking her by thu
hand and speaking in Il low tone, iii
may be that the Lord Himself speak
!. by the mouth of the innocent little
child: what think you?'
Hugo, l well believe the time ha'
come" answered Madam De GroUt
, breathing quickly. ''Lct us put it b.
no longer9'
/, In the midst of their agitation owe
the hasty resolve a grating of the lock
was heard, and Deventcr appeared
He informed them that he vas TO leav'
the fortress for II few days, rs he has
| been promoted to Il Captaincy. ant